TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

IONIZED PATH [1 record]

Filter results by subject field Alphabetical list of terms

Filter results by subject field

Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2004-09-24

English

Subject field(s)
  • Atmospheric, Climatic and Meteorological Phenomena
DEF

The narrow path of ionized air in which the lightning discharge current flows.

CONT

The ionized channel is a conducting path for the lightning discharge.

CONT

Cloud-to-ground [discharge.] ... Once a sufficiently high voltage difference exists for electrical breakdown to begin in the cloud, a streamer of electrons develops. This, in turn, can become a "stepped leader," which approaches the earth in a series of rapid steps ... The stepped leader produces an ionized channel (molecules in its path are stripped of electrons) and tends to follow a downward branching path. As soon as one of the branches is within five to 50 meters of the surface, another streamer advances upward to meet it along the path of least resistance (often through tall and pointed objects). Now an ionized path a few centimeters in diameter connects earth with cloud. Next, the "return stroke," which carries a surge of current, travels up the ionized channel, lighting up the paths taken by the stepped leader.

OBS

Channel ... It is illuminated brightly during the return stroke.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Phénomènes météorologiques, climatiques et atmosphériques
CONT

Quand la décharge pilote atteint [...] par bonds successifs les derniers décamètres qui la séparent de la Terre, une décharge partant [...] du sol [...] va à la rencontre de la décharge pilote venant du nuage, et un canal ionisé relie ainsi une petite zone de la charge du nuage au sol.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Fenómenos meteorológicos, climáticos y atmosféricos
CONT

descarga en saltos: Relámpago guía de una primera descarga tormentosa en la que el canal ionizado se propaga a saltos sucesivos.

Save record 1

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2024
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Display options

Change the order of display of the official languages of Canada
Option to display the non-official languages (Spanish or Portuguese)
Display definitions, contexts, etc., on records

Features

Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: